Jana Sena and challenges

(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)

Recently, there was a well-deserved celebration of foundation of Jana Sena party. Its founder Pavan Kalyan has brought power to the party. There is much truth to what the Roman poet Virgil said 2100 years ago: “Fortune favors the brave “. Pavan Kalyan was brave to continue his party, even after defeat.  Unlike his brother Chiranjeevi, he did not wind up his party. Naturally, bravery alone is not enough for victory.  Luck is even more important than bravery.

Jana sena Successes

1. There is no doubt that Pavan Kalyan is extremely lucky. Within 5 years of the electoral failure in 2019, Pavan Kalyan became deputy Chief Minister.
2. Pavan Kalyan has now become a rare entity in Telugu states, where a small regional party enjoys power. This happens in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Telugu states, only big regional parties capture power. More sub-regional parties can come up on Telugu states.  

• When a political party is in power, everything is easy. Many new, rich friends come and there is no struggle. Media, political expenses are all taken care of. Of course, these rich friends will vanish, when power goes off. Ask KCR, Uddhav Thackeray and others, where their rich friends are?

• Pavan Kalyan has also managed to convince  Kapus that he will do them justice. They voted for his alliance. Pavan Kalyan’s success may inspire Dalit and backward class leaders to form parties. .

Challenges to Pavan Kalyan:

1. As Jana Sena is in power, it will have to perform. The party and its leaders will have to be above corruption and give “good governance “.
2. Pavan Kalyan must be very alert to avoid “political mistakes “. He will have to ensure that the “original supporters “of Jana Sena are happy.  In the recent 2024 elections, many newcomers and defectors were grandly rewarded.
3. As a regional party, there is only one leader. The danger is that truth and realities will not reach the leader and mistakes will be committed. To avoid, this situation, the party should become greatly “democratized,’ so that there is great debate and most important, there should be easy access.
4. There should also be a wider circle of consultation. If the same people surround the leader, then big mistakes will be committed. Other political parties have suffered due to lack of “democratization “. A single mistake can throw the party out of power.

Good examples of other regional parties to consider:

1. The best example of great survivors are Bihar Chief minister Nitish Kumar and former chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik. Both have served for over 20 years continuously as chief ministers.
2. Both Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik have great integrity. Both their parties are highly democratized and strong new leaders are always welcome. Their parties always invited new ideas. Both their parties had a minimum of flatterers, sycophants, business -crook and corrupt touts.
3. Another great politician was late Mulayam Singh Yadav, who survived for 55 years in politics. Mulayam Singh constantly encouraged strong, independent leaders and was never afraid of them. That gave his party great durability. Imagine Anil Ambani, former BJP chief minister Kalyan Singh, the troublesome Amar Singh and dozens of others, including Amitabh Bachan’s wife in Mulayam Singh’s party.

Bad examples of failing parties :

1. The best example not to follow is the Akali Dal, which is over 100 years old.  It is now on its deathbed. The Badal family made the Akali Dal as a party of the rich, corrupt and sycophancy.  
2. The Shiv Sena is another example of failure. Bal Thackeray warned his family that they should never directly contest elections. Instead, as soon as Bal Thackeray died, his family jumped into elections. Further, his son Uddhav was totally surrounded by sycophants, who ensured he is on the road to ruin.

Jana Sena restricted to only 21 MLA seats :

1. The biggest problem for Jana Sena is that it is now restricted to only 21 MLA seats. Till the next election, Jana Sena cannot work in the other 154 MLA seats. At the next elections, with same allies, it cannot get more seats. This is definitely a danger for Jana Sena. It cannot grow or work outside the 21 constituencies.

• Kapus demand for BC status:

Jana Sena will have to work for BC status for Kapus soon. When the next elections come, this will be a major problem. Definitely, Jana Sena must convince Modi government. The Kapu issue won’t go away.

There is a strong opposition in Andhra Pradesh. If problems are not solved, then the Ruling Kutami will face problems. The great British Prime Minister Harold Wilson said 60 years ago: ‘A week is a long time in politics”.  Definitely, Jana Sena can learn from Nitish Kumar and Naveen Patnaik and be cautious of the bad examples of Akali Dal and Shiv sena.

The big question is what has the BJP done for Kapus in Andhra? BJP has pampered so many communities in other states. Modi thus far has given only words of praise. But that is not enough. The question of Kapus will eventually come up. Moreover, will Jana Sena grow beyond 21 MLA seats? These questions are in-convenient. But they will not go away. The big danger for a leader is that his immediate colleagues will not give him bad news.

Pakalam, as the great Kamaraj Nadar used to say. Pakalam means “let us see”. There is much time for Jana Sena to solve problems. But one must remember that nothing gets done after the second year in government. Time flies!

(Author is a Political and Economic Analyst based in New Delhi)